There are always reasons to be optimistic, perhaps occasional value in circumspection but rarely does pessimism offer anything but a slippery slope into that purgatory inhabited by self-labelled victims.

One could argue that times are tough, the economy in free fall, unemployment on the rise, property values unaffordable, not to mention the ground zero impact of global warming and religious zealotry.

That said one could more cogently argue that these are the same issues we’ve encountered since time immemorial, the major difference being that the industry of doom aggregation masquerading as ‘The News” is now as deafening as it is ubiquitous.

I’m reminded of a comment: someone you know has just had the worst year, month or perhaps day of their life, counter balanced by someone else you know who is experiencing their best year, month or day, perhaps it’s even you.

We live in the briefest speck of time in an infinite universe and the closest our infinitesimally tiny reality filtered through a few limited senses can render, is one truth, the acknowledgement that everything has a cycle.

Weather changes, emotions change, opportunities come and go, our worst moments often precede our greatest victories and to meander down the road of cliché, it’s always darkest just before the dawn.

Orientating ourselves in the direction of best-case scenario does not shield us from the cruel vagaries of life; however falling into the trap of predicting worst-case scenario for our future has a knack of creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.

When we act as if our world is going to implode a curious ripple effect of opportunity and positivity giving us a wide berth seems to occur. Misery indeed attracts the company of misery and birds of a feather do indeed flock together.

2016 represents a blank canvas. As with every other point of time in our existence there will by a myriad of choices for us to indulge, decisions that will lead to new paths and a dizzying array of potential destinations. Setting up psychological roadblocks based on the pedlars of fear is a game to be avoided.

One idea can utterly change the direction of a life. One incidental meeting can lead to a lifelong friendship. One crazy vision of a future encompassing the fruition of your deepest aspirations can materialise this year. It may not of course but unless you back yourself and look for the opportunities the alternative is grim

Wishing all of you have stumbled across these ramblings an outrageously successful 2016